Selangor Menteri Besar Mohamed Azmin Ali said his state governmet rejects the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) because it is “inhumane”.

 

Azmin, who is Bukit Antarabangsa assemblyperson, said if Putrajaya wanted to increase its revenue, it should first look at corruption and leakages in the federal government.

 

“The stand of the state government is we reject the implementation of GST because it is a form of tax that is inhumane ( zalim ).

 

“The GST system implemented isn’t to create a revenue source that is new, or increase the country’s income. That is a wrong philosophy.

 

“The question is, if Umno’s government wishes to raise its income at the federal level, it should by right pay attention first to leakages and rampant corruption,” said the MB.

 

He was responding to Amiruddin Setro (BN-Jeram) who asked about GST at the state assembly session today.

Azmin said the GST that the federal government implemented starting April first should rightfully be based on principles of fairness towards the low and middle income group.

Despite numerous protests from opposition politicians and civil society, the government pressed ahead with its 6 percent GST this month claiming it was needed to increase Putrajaya's revenue.

Critics argue that GST will have a snowball effect on the cost of living, despite exemptions on basic necessities.